Image forming apparatus and cartridge

Abstract

An image forming apparatus having a developer carrying member for developing an electrostatic image formed on an image bearing member with a developer, and a flight developer carrying member provided between the image bearing member and the developer carrying member for regulating an area in which the developer flies from the developer carrying member to the image bearing member, wherein a voltage applied to the developer carrying member is controlled in accordance with information regarding the front edge location of the flight developer regulating member.

1 . An image forming apparatus comprising: 
 a developer carrying member for developing an electrostatic image formed on an image bearing member with a developer; and    a flight developer regulating member provided between said image bearing member and said developer carrying member for regulating an area in which the developer flies from said developer carrying member to said image bearing member,    wherein a voltage applied to said developer carrying member is controlled in accordance with information regarding a front edge location of said flight developer regulating member.    
   
   
       2 . An image forming apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said voltage is an oscillating voltage, and is applied to said developer carrying member during a developing operation of effecting development on said image bearing member by said developer carrying member.  
   
   
       3 . An image forming apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein by said oscillating voltage being applied to said developer carrying member, an alternating electric field is formed between said image bearing member and said developer carrying member.  
   
   
       4 . An image forming apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein a duty of said oscillating voltage is controlled in accordance with said information.  
   
   
       5 . An image forming apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said oscillating voltage alternately forms a portion forming an oscillating electric field between said image bearing member and said developer carrying member, and a portion not forming an oscillating electric field between said image bearing member and said developer carrying member.  
   
   
       6 . An image forming apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein a ratio of said portion forming said oscillating electric field to said portion not forming said oscillating electric field is controlled in accordance with said information.  
   
   
       7 . An image forming apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said flight developer regulating member is a sheet member.  
   
   
       8 . An image forming apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein said front edge location of said flight developer regulating member is below, in a vertical direction, a location at which said flight developer regulating member is supported.  
   
   
       9 . An image forming apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a controller for controlling said voltage in accordance with said information.  
   
   
       10 . An image forming apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said flight developer regulating member is provided in contact with said image bearing member.  
   
   
       11 . An image forming apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said flight developer regulating member is provided in spaced-apart relationship with the developer carried on said developer carrying member.  
   
   
       12 . An image forming apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said flight developer regulating member is an insulative member.  
   
   
       13 . A cartridge detachably mountable to a main body of an image forming apparatus, said cartridge comprising: 
 a developer carrying member for developing an electrostatic image formed on an image bearing member with a developer;    a flight developer regulating member provided between said image bearing member and said developer carrying member for regulating an area in which the developer flies from said developer carrying member to said image bearing member; and    a storage medium for storing information regarding a front edge location of said flight developer regulating member.    
   
   
       14 . A cartridge according to  claim 13 , wherein said main body of said image forming apparatus controls, in accordance with said information, a voltage applied to said developer carrying member.  
   
   
       15 . A cartridge according to  claim 13 , wherein said flight developer regulating member is a sheet member.  
   
   
       16 . A cartridge according to  claim 15 , wherein said front edge location of said flight developer regulating member is below, in a vertical direction, a location at which said flight developer regulating member is supported.  
   
   
       17 . A cartridge according to  claim 13 , wherein said flight developer regulating member is provided in contact with said image bearing member.  
   
   
       18 . A cartridge according to  claim 13 , wherein said flight developer regulating member is provided in spaced-apart relationship with the developer carried on said developer carrying member.  
   
   
       19 . A cartridge according to  claim 13 , wherein said flight developer regulating member is an insulative member.  
   
   
       20 . A cartridge according to  claim 13 , further comprising said image bearing member.